Which of the following is an example of a biotic factor?

A biotic factor refers to any living component that influences the ecosystem, including organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria. In this instance, fungi represent a living organism that interacts with other organisms and the environment, playing crucial roles in processes such as decomposition, nutrient cycling, and forming symbiotic relationships with plants.

In contrast, water, temperature, and soil minerals are all abiotic factors. Water is a vital non-living component that affects habitat suitability and organisms' survival but does not involve living organisms. Temperature, as a physical condition, impacts metabolic rates and survival of species but also does not include living entities. Similarly, soil minerals are essential for plant growth, yet they are inorganic components and do not embody any living aspects of an ecosystem.